Why are IT executives struggling with architecture modernisation?

With virtually all IT executives struggling with architecture modernisation, it is time to consider a robust data management strategy

25th July 2019

Almost all IT executives are reportedly struggling with architecture modernisation, according to a DataStax report. In fact, 98% of surveyed executives are currently experiencing challenges with their data, with data silos causing significant issues.

Enterprise tech demands modernisation

At present, constant technological innovation has meant that the enterprise is evolving at an exponential rate. As a result, companies are facing increased scrutiny as customers are beginning to demand more and more.

Emerging technologies have the potential to completely transform the enterprise landscape, promising increased revenues, smarter insights, and cost savings. Despite this potential, IT executives must first and foremost decide how to invest in innovation without reducing support for existing business-critical technology.

The only possible way to meet both objectives is through the modernisation of IT architectures. In order to decipher how companies are experiencing this journey, DataStax interviewed 304 IT executives working at companies with over 5,000 employees.

The need for architecture modernisation

While architecture modernisation is absolutely necessary in the modern age, it is also incredibly complex. 100% of the survey’s respondents said that they were modernising their architecture, but 99% reported that they had experienced challenges.

Above all, executives cited reducing costs, improving customer and employee satisfaction, and gaining data-driven insights as their main motivations for modernisation. However, no standards existed for funding new application development.

More often than not, it is data that drives the need to modernise architecture modernisation. Indeed, 98% of executives reported challenges with their corporate data architectures, with data silos topping the list.

Architecture modernisation is challenging

Despite the advantages technological innovation brings, architecture modernisation can be incredibly difficult. Virtually all of the IT executives agreed that their technology modernisation efforts were challenging.

The most common issue tends to be finding the balance between maintaining costs without sacrificing uptime and performance. 56% of the survey’s respondents stated that they were currently struggling with this problem.

Other difficulties included building flexible architectures that can adapt as cloud technologies evolve (46%) and managing pressure to deliver solutions faster (45%). 43% also struggled to find expert resources with the right skills to deliver innovative solutions, while 41% were battling to scale complex environments.

Above all, the report exemplifies that data forms one of the most challenging elements of architecture modernisation. With such a large percentage of executives experiencing data silos, companies must begin to consider seeking external guidance to address these challenges.